In a decision published yesterday (November 15), the Welsh minister for climate change, Julie James, backed a recommendation from the Inspector to refuse planning permission for plant, which would primarily have used residual commercial and industrial (C&I) waste materials.
The Inspector, Alwyn B Nixon, ruled in a report given to the minister in August that objections to the proposal “outweigh benefits the plant would bring”. These objections relate to “insufficient need”, “ecological harm”, and the Welsh government’s waste reduction plans.
Listed benefits from the plant include carbon emission savings when compared with export and landfill, energy generation, and the socio-economic factors.
The Inspector said: “Having taken all matters into account, I conclude that the balance of considerations is such that planning permission should be refused.”
The decision takes account of the need for waste reduction and the phasing out of residual waste
– Julie James
Agree
The climate change minister said the Inspector’s decision took account of the need for waste reduction and the phasing out of residual waste “as we move towards the 2050 zero waste target”.
She added that she agreed with the Inspector that Viridor’s Trident facility in Cardiff would be able to process C&I waste once the government’s waste reduction policies took effect.
The Inspector found that waste reduction policies could see residual household waste arisings in South East Wales fall to levels that could be managed in existing EfW facilities. As this occurs, the Trident Park facility’s capacity for C&I residual waste will increase instead, the Inspector said.
The climate change minister said: “The Inspector notes part of the applicant’s case for the proposed development relates to the benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions by diverting waste from landfill, the production of energy for the grid, and the potential contribution to a district heating network.
“Whilst the Inspector recognises the benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions, if the availability of residual waste reduces as projected, the proposed facility would need to source more feedstock from a wider area, adding to transportation emissions.
“The decision takes account of the need for waste reduction and the phasing out of residual waste as we move towards the 2050 zero waste target.
“The decision does not have any negative effects on the Welsh Government’s well-being objectives. However, if the application was approved, the benefits in terms of supporting the objectives of the waste management plan may not be secured.”
Plant
The plant, called ‘Môr Hafren Bio Power’, was proposed last year to process commercial waste.
The company behind the facility is also called Môr Hafren Bio Power, of which renewable energy plant developer CoGen is a holding company. CoGen is behind a number of other EfW and biomass plants across the UK.
Môr Hafren Bio Power said the plant would play a “key role” in “plugging a gap” in Welsh waste treatment.
It said only 25% of residual waste is treated in Wales, thus leaving 1.2 million tonnes of residual waste either going straight to landfill or treatment elsewhere. The company added it would create 356 jobs during construction.
Also, the Inspector’s report claimed Môr Hafren Bio Power had stated that the facility would prevent Viridor having a “monopoly” over the commercial waste processing market in south Wales.
Useful links
Môr Hafren Bio Power: Welsh Ministers decision letter
Môr Hafren Bio Power: Inspectors report
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